Insiders Predicting Bigger Role for Reggie Jackson With Kawhi Leonard Out
By Peter Dewey
Los Angeles Clippers fans are holding their collective breath as Kawhi Leonard could be dealing with a serious knee injury that could affect much more than just this postseason run.
However, the Clippers themselves can’t dwell on Leonard’s injury as they have to get ready to play a pivotal Game 5 against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night.
WynnBET isn’t giving Los Angeles much of a chance, as the Clippers are seven-point underdogs without Leonard. Utah is also a heavy favorite (-300) to win the best-of-seven series and advance to the Western Conference Finals.
Someone is going to have to step up in Leonard’s absence, and oddsmakers seem to be choosing Reggie Jackson as one of the beneficiaries for tonight’s game. Jackson has been fantastic this postseason, and WynnBET has his player prop for points set at 15.5 for Game 5 with the over (-120) as the favorite to the under (+100).
Jackson is averaging 15.2 points per game this postseason, but he’s coming off a game where he took just four shots and scored only four points in the Clippers’ series-evening win.
Jackson’s point projection for Game 4 had been set at 14.5 (I sadly took the over), but with Leonard out, it got another boost ahead of Game 5.
Jackson has scored more than 15.5 points five times already this postseason, and he’s hit the 15-point mark on three separate occasions.
The scoring has been there for the veteran point guard, and the Clippers will need him to provide extra offense in Game 5 if they want any chance at picking up the upset.
While I’d be shocked if Jackson didn’t at least score in double figures tonight, there is some concern about his usage since we haven’t seen the Clippers without Leonard this postseason.
Will they run more offense through Marcus Morris? Could there be a new rotation?
Both are possible, but Jackson will undoubtedly remain in the starting lineup and has been the Clippers’ most consistent guard in these playoffs. I expect him to benefit from some extra touches and shots, and the Clippers certainly hope he can find his 29-point form from Game 3 as they look to pull off the upset.